An estimated sixteen million Americans are living with some form of cognitive impairment, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The number of people age sixty-five and older projected to have Alzheimer’s in 2050 is expected to swell from the current five million to thirteen million.

Implementing the strategies below can help your loved one boost his or her brain health and aid in the fight of curbing dementia.

Get a lot of sleep

Although experts have not yet connected the dots in explaining why sleep problems are associated with early indications of Alzheimer’s, a number of studies conducted over the past few decades have linked sleep disturbances to poor brain health.

Incorporate nuts into your diet

A healthy and well-balanced diet is known to promote brain health. A new study by the University of Illinois found that monounsaturated nutrients found in olive oils, nuts and avocados might hold the key to having a healthy brain.

Foods rich in monounsaturated fatty acids are key components in the Mediterranean diet. This is also linked to protecting brain health in the long-term. Eating foods rich in these fatty acids is known to contribute to optimal functioning of the networking in your brain responsible for preserving cognition.

Consume plenty of Vitamin C

Vitamin C has a great impact on cognition as well as being beneficial for more than fighting a nasty cold. It’s found in orange juice, brussel sprouts, broccoli, kiwi and bell peppers and lowers oxidative stress when free radicals are more powerful than the body’s ability to fight them. Oxidative stress could cause a decline in brain health and overall well-being.

Take care of your heart

The American Heart Association says the same risk factors that cause heart disease are also major contributors to cognitive impairment and Alzheimer’s disease in old age. This connection is believed to be adequate blood flow, which both the brain and heart need to function correctly.

As you get older, blood vessels could slowly become narrow, which prevents optimum blood flow throughout your body. This form of heart disease is one of the leading causes of strokes and heart attacks. This threatens brain health by damaging blood vessels leading in and out of the brain.

Get physical

Exercising four times per week could lead to increased brain volume. This was shown to slow the progression of mild cognitive impairment in adults battling poor brain health.

But not all physical exercise is equal. While any form of exercise can create the potential for preventing dementia, aerobic exercise such as walking, swimming, biking, and running was the best way to increase gray brain matter and trigger other beneficial changes.

Maintain your blood sugar

High blood sugar has a connection to lower brain functioning. This can be one explanation for the increased risk of Alzheimer’s in seniors who have Type 2 diabetes. A one percent increase in A1C, the 2 to 3 month blood glucose average, is associated with a lower brain health score on a series of memory and cognitive function tests.

Does your loved one need assistance in boosting his or her brain health? Click here to contact Colonial Home Care Services today!